AN 89-year-old woman who once worked under a prominent Oxford scientist choked to death while being fed at a nursing home, an inquest heard.

Dorothy Rawlings – a retired secretary for Sir Robert Macintosh, the first professor of anaesthetics outside the United States – died at Brookfield Christian Care Home on Sunday, May 18.

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday that Mrs Rawlings, known by her middle name Joan, had swallowing difficulties. She choked while being fed by senior care assistant Wendy Eeley at the home in Little Bury, Greater Leys.

Ms Eeley said in a statement that Mrs Rawlings was sat up in the best position at the time. She tried tapping her on the back to release the food but said she looked “lifeless”.

Mrs Rawlings, who had throat cancer and heart problems, had signed a form saying she did not want CPR to be attempted if she suffered cardiac arrest.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate her anyway because they said it was a “reversible” problem but failed and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination showed she died from aspiration of food and vomiting.

Coroner Darren Salter recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest Ms Rawlings’ niece Jane Cundy, from Abingdon, said: “She was a real character and had a lovely personality but she could be a tough lady.

“I became close to her in the last few years because I cared for her but she was very independent.”

Sir Robert became Oxford University’s chairman of anaesthetics in 1937 on the recommendation of Lord Nuffield.

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